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BEYOND BARKING

Posted by Under the Weather
on January 18, 2018

Does your dog go from 0 to 100 in terms of barking at the slightest
noise outside or when the doorbell rings? On one hand, you can rest assured
that no one will ever break into your house without a ruckus. But after you
reassure your pooch that nothing is amiss and the racket continues, it becomes
annoying and stressful for all within earshot, including your neighbors!

January is National Train Your Dog Month, so it’s a good
time to understand the reasoning behind your dog’s barking and how to curb
their behavior when it goes overboard. Much of the outcome relies on how you handle
the situation. Woof!

Starved for Attention

When your dog looks right at your face and barks while
stamping his feet, he’s probably not telling you that there is someone outside
or that he has to go potty. Instead, it probably means that he wants your
attention with some good quality one-on-one interaction. Tossing a ball and
walking away isn’t what he’s after. The barking may stop for a few seconds, but
it will probably start up again.

Instead, interrupt the barking early by grabbing one of the
toys that only come out when you play with him. Make him earn the prize by
following a few simple commands like Sit, Down, Stay or Roll Over. Use the toy as
part of your hand gestures while giving the command. Connect with your dog for
a good 10-15 minutes – a good break for both of you. If your dog tends to show
this needy barking at a certain time of the day, engage in this playtime
proactively, on a regular basis, to break the cycle.

Short Dog Complex

Does your height-challenged dog tend to go all out with excessive
barking and aggressive body language when a larger dog approaches? She probably
figures she needs to show her stuff to the big, bad dog. A fair warning, even though
the larger dog has a friendly wagging demeanor. Take a look at her body
movements. Is she retreating while barking, or turning sideways and looking
over her shoulder, or hiding behind your legs? Underneath that tough exterior,
she’s probably scared.

Work on getting your dog to associate being around casually
friendly dogs as a good thing. Bring treats along on your walk or to the dog
park. The next time the barking starts, take two treats out and get between the
dogs. Give a Sit command, and give them the treats simultaneously once they
both comply. Partner up with a friend who has a tolerant dog. Your dog will
quickly see the benefits of exhibiting more welcoming social behaviors.

Demanding Diva

Do you have a tiny pooch that goes ballistic with new visitors
until she is picked up? Try turning a knock on the door into a signal that it
is something good. About twenty minutes before your guest is to arrive, put her
leash on and grab a few favorite treats. Go near the front door and give a Come
command while backing up and coaxing her to follow you. Once she earns that
treat, repeat the process, but add a knock on the door from the inside. Keep
practicing until she stops barking when you knock. Now, when your guest
arrives, engage her in this new exercise. With repetition, your princess will learn
that her silence will get her noticed in a very positive manner.

This blog is brought to you by Under the Weather®, provider of freeze-dried bland diets for dogs. If your dog has a temporary bout of vomiting or diarrhea
during the holidays, your vet may recommend giving them a “bland diet” until
their digestive systems return to normal. Until now, this required you to cook
chicken and rice. With Under the Weather’s bland diets there is no more cooking
– just add water!

Under the Weather is also an avid supporter of finding homes
for shelter dogs. We finance the Ruffy
Rescue Transport Fund to cover the transport cost of bringing dogs from
overpopulated kill shelters to Vermont for adoption. A portion of every dollar
in sales is channeled to supporting this cause as well as financing the spaying
and neutering fees of shelter animals. Get to know more about Ruffy.